Lawyers call for vibrant leadership in LSK

By Anderson Ojwang’ and Stella Mwangi

The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) is moribund and needs new leadership, lawyers from western Kenya say.

The lawyers, led by LSK Western Kenya chairman Jude Ragot, said the society had lost touch with issues affecting lawyers and the country and had become a passive player in national matters.

"We are about to elect new officials and we must choose people who are capable of charting a new and bright future for the society. We must not remain passive again," he said. Ragot was speaking in Kisumu at a dinner for the outgoing Senior Principal Magistrate Anne Ongijo and High Court Judge, Justice John Mwera. Ongijo has been transferred to Eldoret while Mwera has been moved to Nairobi.

He said it was important to give LSK a national image.

"Why must we make LSK a Nairobi outfit? It is time other branches also got into leadership. It is time we gave a new dawn to the society," he said.

Speaking at the same function, LSK Vice Chairman James Mwamu, one of the candidates for the chair, asked the lawyers to elect him. He said he would chart a new chapter for the society if elected.

The lawyers thanked the outgoing magistrate and judge for creating an enabling environment and hearing and determining cases quickly.

Mwera and Ongijo urged the advocates to give support to the incoming new bench officers.